Protect Loons from Toxic Mercury Pollution

The eerie call of the Common Loon is a symbol of America's northern wild places.

But loons are in jeopardy. Toxic mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants falls with rain into the northern lakes where loons breed.

As a damaging neurotoxin, mercury builds up in fish, and then accumulates to dangerous levels in the loons that feed almost entirely on fish.

Right now we have the chance to protect loons and other wildlife from toxic mercury pollution, because the Environmental Protection Agency is deciding whether to limit the mercury pollution that comes from power plants.

Speak up for the common loon--take action and urge the Environmental Protection Agency to set strong limits on mercury pollution from power plants.

Letter to

Environmental Protection AgencySend public comments

I strongly support the new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards that would limit mercury, arsenic, dioxin, and other toxic emissions from power plants.

Coal-fired power plants are the single largest source of mercury contamination in the U.S, amounting to about 50 percent of emissions affecting humans and wildlife. The pollution settles on lakes, rivers and forests where it exposes fish and other wildlife and makes its way into the food chain. In many places, mercury warnings are increasingly common.

A highly potent neurotoxin, mercury adversely affects the function and development of the central nervous system in both people and wildlife. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to mercury exposure.

For too long, mercury and other toxic pollution has gone unchecked in America. It is time that we require power plants to clean up the pollution that is inflicting such devastating damage to our health and environment.

I urge you to move forward and finalize strong Mercury and Air Toxics standards. These pollution limits will be one of the largest steps forward in protecting our nation from toxic air pollution in a generation.